PPG will expand manufacturing capacity at its aerospace transparencies plant in Huntsville, Alabama, under a $70 million investment intended to keep pace with demand for cockpit and passenger windows.
The project covers the lease and build-out of a 112,000-sq-ft facility that will house production support functions. Moving that work into the new building will open additional manufacturing space at PPG’s existing Huntsville transparencies facility. The investment forms part of several multiyear projects aimed at raising production capacity as the transparencies business grows.
Demand is climbing across commercial, military, and general aviation markets, according to Francois Buehlmann, PPG’s general manager for global aerospace transparencies. “This expansion increases our operational efficiency, provides room for future equipment investments, and reinforces our long-term commitment to serving customers and investing in Huntsville,” he said.
PPG has produced transparencies in Huntsville for more than 55 years. “Huntsville is recognized globally for innovation and leadership in aerospace,” Buehlmann said. “We are proud to continue investing in this community and look forward to growing alongside the region’s dynamic aerospace network.”
Beyond transparencies, the aerospace unit’s product line runs to coatings, sealants, and engineered materials for military, commercial, regional, and general aviation operators.